The retreat, meticulously organized and co-chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, served as a critical forum for deliberating on a staggering array of constitutional reform proposals. Lawmakers scrutinized no fewer than 69 bills aimed at amending various sections of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Among these, 55 bills specifically sought the establishment of new states, while two addressed boundary adjustments between existing states, and a whopping 278 focused on the creation of additional local government areas. This sheer volume of requests underscores the deep-seated agitations that have persisted for decades, often rooted in ethnic, cultural, and economic grievances felt by marginalized communities within larger states.
After hours of intensive discussions, debates, and negotiations, the joint committee reached a consensus that has been hailed as a landmark achievement in fostering national unity. The decision stipulates the addition of one new state in each of Nigeria's six geopolitical zones: North-West, North-East, North-Central, South-West, South-East, and South-South. This balanced approach is designed to ensure parity and prevent any zone from feeling shortchanged. Under the proposed reconfiguration, the South-South and South-West geopolitical zones would each boast seven states, representing a modest increase from their current six. The South-East, long vocal about its underrepresentation with only five states, would gain one to reach six. Meanwhile, the three northern zones—North-West, North-East, and North-Central—would each expand to seven states, aligning them with the southern counterparts in terms of numerical equity.
This resolution will not remain confined to the retreat's conference rooms. It is slated for inclusion in the joint committee's comprehensive formal report, which is scheduled to be laid before both chambers of the National Assembly during the first week of November. The presentation of this report will ignite further legislative scrutiny, public hearings, and potentially heated debates on the floor of the Senate and House. A senior lawmaker, who participated anonymously in the closed-door sessions but spoke on condition of anonymity, described the unanimous agreement as a triumph of "the spirit of fairness and equity." According to this insider, senators and representatives from diverse political affiliations and regional backgrounds set aside partisan differences to prioritize national cohesion, recognizing that uneven state distribution has fueled perceptions of marginalization and hindered development in certain areas.
To operationalize this ambitious plan, the committee took proactive steps by establishing a dedicated sub-committee tasked with the delicate responsibility of pinpointing the exact regions or territories from which the six new states will be excised. Leading this sub-committee is Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, the Senate Chief Whip, a seasoned politician from Borno State known for his pragmatic approach to legislative matters. The sub-committee's mandate is both technical and politically sensitive: it must sift through the 55 pending state creation requests, evaluate demographic data, economic viability, cultural affinities, and infrastructural considerations to recommend viable candidates for statehood.
A member of the sub-committee hailing from the North-West zone provided reassurance about the process ahead. In a statement that emphasized integrity, the lawmaker pledged that the team would "meticulously review all 55 state creation requests" with an unwavering commitment to fairness and transparency. This involves consulting stakeholders, conducting field assessments, and ensuring that selections are not influenced by favoritism or political patronage. The sub-committee's work will be pivotal, as poorly chosen boundaries could exacerbate ethnic tensions or create unviable entities dependent on federal handouts.
Yet, for all the optimism surrounding the committee's recommendations, the path to actualizing six new states is fraught with formidable constitutional hurdles. Nigeria's 1999 Constitution outlines a stringent amendment procedure under Section 9, requiring a two-thirds majority vote in both the Senate (at least 73 out of 109 senators) and the House of Representatives (at least 240 out of 360 members). Even if the National Assembly clears this threshold, the proposal must secure the endorsement of at least two-thirds of the state Houses of Assembly—meaning approval from no fewer than 24 out of the 36 existing states. This multi-layered vetting process has historically proven to be a graveyard for state creation bills; since the return to democracy in 1999, numerous attempts have faltered at one stage or another, often due to opposition from states fearful of losing territory, population, or revenue sources.
The current momentum, however, appears bolstered by escalating grassroots campaigns that have gained traction in recent months. In the South-South region, for example, advocates from Delta North Senatorial District have intensified their push for Anioma State. Proponents argue that carving Anioma out of Delta State would not only grant the Igbo-speaking communities in the area greater autonomy but also address the South-East's longstanding quest for a sixth state. Interestingly, the Anioma agitators have expressed a preference for the new state to be zoned to the South-East, a move that could symbolically bridge ethnic divides and enhance Igbo representation in national affairs.
Further west, in Oyo State, the clamor for Ibadan State has reached fever pitch. The demand was dramatically spotlighted during the recent coronation ceremony of Oba Rashidi Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. In a public appeal that captured national attention, representatives of the Ibadan indigenes presented their case directly to President Bola Tinubu, who was in attendance as a guest of honor. Oba Ladoja himself, in his regal address, reiterated the aspirations of his people, urging that Ibadan State be created either immediately or by 2027 at the latest. Supporters contend that Ibadan, as one of Nigeria's largest and most historically significant cities, deserves statehood to unlock its economic potential, preserve its cultural heritage, and provide better governance tailored to its unique needs.
These examples illustrate just a fraction of the 55 requests under consideration, which span virtually every corner of the country. From the proposed Orlu State in the South-East to potential new entities in the Middle Belt or northern frontiers, each bid carries its own narrative of historical neglect, population growth, and the need for closer administration to the people. The joint committee's zone-by-zone approach, while equitable on paper, will inevitably disappoint many agitators whose specific demands may not align perfectly with the one-per-zone formula.
Beyond state creation, the retreat touched on broader constitutional themes, including local government autonomy—a hot-button issue tied to the 278 proposals for new LGAs. Lawmakers recognize that empowering local governments could alleviate some pressures driving state creation demands, but progress on this front has been slow due to resistance from state governors who guard their control over local affairs.
As November approaches, all eyes will be on the National Assembly. The joint committee's report could either catalyze a new era of federalism in Nigeria or join the annals of unfulfilled reforms. Proponents argue that more states would promote decentralized development, reduce the burden on existing state capitals, and foster a sense of belonging among diverse ethnic groups. Critics, however, warn of increased administrative costs, potential for further fragmentation, and the risk of creating economically non-viable states in an already strained federation.
In the words of the anonymous senior lawmaker, the decision reflects a collective resolve to build "a more perfect union." Whether this vision materializes depends on the political will of legislators, the acquiescence of state assemblies, and the enduring patience of Nigerians who have waited generations for these changes. For now, the proposal for six new states represents a beacon of hope amid the complexities of Nigeria's constitutional evolution, promising a reimagined map that could redefine power, identity, and progress in Africa's most populous nation.
